UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USACONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONSPRESS RELEASE

Ukrainian-American Community Meets with Two Ambassadors: New US Ambassador Seeks Closer Ties with UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN Community

On Wednesday, July 17, 2013 representatives of Ukrainian-American community traveled to the United States Department of State in Washington, DC in order to meet with the newly appointed Ambassador of the United States of America to Ukraine His Excellency Geoffrey R. Pyatt.

The Ambassador met with Ukrainian-American community leaders from NY/NJ, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, including Tamara Gallo Olexy, Michael Sawkiw and Marie Duplak of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj; Judge Bohdan Futey of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Kvitka Semanyshyn, Providence Association. The Ukrainian Orthodox community was represented by His Grace Bishop Daniel, President of the Consistory and Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA, and Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas; while Ukrainian Catholic community was represented by Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, and Rev. Robert Hitchens.

Ambassador Pyatt is a highly respected veteran of 22 years’ diplomatic service in such hot spots as India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Honduras. His formal Senate hearing as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, to replace current ambassador John Tefft, took place Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington.

Welcoming the representatives of the Ukrainian-American community, Ambassador Pyatt expressed his gratitude to the President of the United States of America, Secretary Kerry, and former Secretary Clinton for the confidence they have placed in him through this nomination and confirmation. The Ambassador stressed the importance of development of strategic partnership with Ukraine and the potential that exists in the relationship with bipartisan support.

The 90 minutes meeting addressed various social, religious, economic and political issues that both counties address in their relationship.

In conclusion of the meeting, Ambassador Pyatt stated that he realizes that Ukraine has a highly educated population, an active civil society, and tremendous natural resources.

Both the representatives of the Ukrainian-American community and Ambassador Pyatt realized the need for closer ties with the Ukrainian-American community and Diaspora in general.

In conclusion of the business day on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, the representatives of Ukrainian religious and social community organizations paid a visit to the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States of America in Washington, DC, where they were received by His Excellency Ambassador Olexander Motsyk.

The Ambassador thanked the Ukrainian community for informing the world about Ukraine. He gave an overview of Ukraine's accomplishments since independence, focusing on the positive indicators of recent economic growth. After introducing the First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to the US - Oresta Starak, the ambassador expressed his hope that the Embassy and the Ukrainian-American community would be able to help each other advance Ukrainian issues in the West. In a frank exchange of opinions, the group discussed current issues relating to Ukraine, including social, economic and constitutional 'reform', quality of life in Ukraine, etc.

During both meetings with Ambassadors, the leaders of Ukrainian-American community sensed a great desire to foster a spirit of mutual cooperation between the Embassies and U.S. religious and community organizations that work with and in Ukraine.